Where are the Little Chefs going?
Moderator: Site Management Team
- Mark Hewitt
- Member
- Posts: 31413
- Joined: Fri Dec 17, 2004 12:54
- Location: Chester-le-Street
where are the little chefs going?
Yes they refurbished. But I ate a few times at one one on the A64 near York. And the food was passable at best, portions tiny. But; twice the price you'd pay anywhere else.
I ordered a curry there and I'm not joking that three mouthfuls and I'd finished it. The waiter came around to ask how my food was and I complained it was the smallest curry I'd ever seen, but he just smiled and walked off.
I ordered a curry there and I'm not joking that three mouthfuls and I'd finished it. The waiter came around to ask how my food was and I complained it was the smallest curry I'd ever seen, but he just smiled and walked off.
-
- Member
- Posts: 1717
- Joined: Sun Nov 28, 2004 17:48
- Location: Leeds
Re: where are the little chefs going?
Talking of York I was passing by the one at Claxton east of York on the A64 and they were boarding that one up, it only reopened the year before last and is now closed again total waste of money!Yes they refurbished. But I ate a few times at one one on the A64 near York. And the food was passable at best, portions tiny. But; twice the price you'd pay anywhere else.
Re: where are the little chefs going?
The Little Chef at Markham Moor surprised me on Sunday, I didn't know they'd rebranded to such a bright red style!
It's rare that I make car journeys of more than 4 hours and I can get away with not eating for that long! Normally I'll go to my local Tesco and get some drinks, choccy bars and a cheap sandwich or two, all for £5 or less. Otherwise I'll look online with my smartphone and find a supermarket along the way. The better supermarket cafes are those in shopping centres where people are likely to stop in at all times of day, not the huge standalone ones on industrial estates.
Tastiest trick is to divert to a small market town off the main road and find a local sandwich shop or cafe.
My Dad would find prefer to find a pub on the way anywhere! I can recall visiting them but can't for the life of me recall where they were!
It's rare that I make car journeys of more than 4 hours and I can get away with not eating for that long! Normally I'll go to my local Tesco and get some drinks, choccy bars and a cheap sandwich or two, all for £5 or less. Otherwise I'll look online with my smartphone and find a supermarket along the way. The better supermarket cafes are those in shopping centres where people are likely to stop in at all times of day, not the huge standalone ones on industrial estates.
Tastiest trick is to divert to a small market town off the main road and find a local sandwich shop or cafe.
My Dad would find prefer to find a pub on the way anywhere! I can recall visiting them but can't for the life of me recall where they were!
Re: where are the little chefs going?
The urban ones in West Yorkshire, always seemed a bit out of place, the long closed one at Rooley Avenue, Bradford and the soon to be closed one on Huddersfield Road, Mirfield. Both located not exactly on major trunk roads.SteveA30 wrote:I've always been puzzled by some of the chosen locations for both LC and the old Happy Eaters. No wonder so many have fallen by the wayside over the years.
- PeterA5145
- Member
- Posts: 25347
- Joined: Sun Mar 24, 2002 00:19
- Location: Stockport, Cheshire
- Contact:
Re: where are the little chefs going?
But many of the customers of Little Chefs were not families on long cross-country journeys, but salesmen and other business travellers who wanted a coffee, a toilet break, a quick wash and brush up and possibly a bite to eat before their next client visit. That's why a lot were situated on the fringes of conurbations.AndrewH wrote:The urban ones in West Yorkshire, always seemed a bit out of place, the long closed one at Rooley Avenue, Bradford and the soon to be closed one on Huddersfield Road, Mirfield. Both located not exactly on major trunk roads.SteveA30 wrote:I've always been puzzled by some of the chosen locations for both LC and the old Happy Eaters. No wonder so many have fallen by the wayside over the years.
“The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire.” – Robert A. Heinlein
Re: where are the little chefs going?
Don't forget that those sales/businessmen may well have been on expenses, so rip-off prices are not an issue.PeterA5145 wrote:But many of the customers of Little Chefs were not families on long cross-country journeys, but salesmen and other business travellers who wanted a coffee, a toilet break, a quick wash and brush up and possibly a bite to eat before their next client visit. That's why a lot were situated on the fringes of conurbations.AndrewH wrote:The urban ones in West Yorkshire, always seemed a bit out of place, the long closed one at Rooley Avenue, Bradford and the soon to be closed one on Huddersfield Road, Mirfield. Both located not exactly on major trunk roads.SteveA30 wrote:I've always been puzzled by some of the chosen locations for both LC and the old Happy Eaters. No wonder so many have fallen by the wayside over the years.
Make poetry history.
Did you know there's more to SABRE than just the Forums?
Help with maps using the new online calibrator.
Add your roads knowledge to the SABRE Wiki.
Did you know there's more to SABRE than just the Forums?
Help with maps using the new online calibrator.
Add your roads knowledge to the SABRE Wiki.
Re: where are the little chefs going?
I don't think its just businessmen using them, otherwise the Little Chefs on the A303 would not be the success that they are.
They are not as cheap as a take away outlet but they are certainly cheaper than motorway services. You reasonably expect to pay more for a proper sit down meal with plates and metal cutlery than a burger in a cardboard box.
I suspect they also get a lot of trade from 50+ travellers who have more disposable income, tend to make more frequent stops on journeys, want somewhere reasonably peaceful and civilized without loud music blaring and serve food that more resembles a proper meal at home.
I take the family out to one from time to time, even when we are not on a particularly long journey, as you can normally park easily, see your car through the window (very important if going on holiday with a car full of luggage), they can accomodate 5 kids quite happily and, unlike a takeaway burger outlet it fills everyone up for the day, so no need to prepare a significant meal when you get home.
I would guess the principle clientelle are couples aged 40+ , families with children, travelling salesmen and other businessmen; and pensioners.
I suspect they would struggle to attract single people aged 16-30 whatever they did, as by definition once you turn 16 you consider the place your parents took you as a kid to be uncool, and if they changed the place totally to attract them, they would destroy the business model, especially as people aged 16-30 have not got much money, and if it was changed to be attractive to that demographic group it would put most of their other clients off.
Anyway. I like the olympic breakfast!
They are not as cheap as a take away outlet but they are certainly cheaper than motorway services. You reasonably expect to pay more for a proper sit down meal with plates and metal cutlery than a burger in a cardboard box.
I suspect they also get a lot of trade from 50+ travellers who have more disposable income, tend to make more frequent stops on journeys, want somewhere reasonably peaceful and civilized without loud music blaring and serve food that more resembles a proper meal at home.
I take the family out to one from time to time, even when we are not on a particularly long journey, as you can normally park easily, see your car through the window (very important if going on holiday with a car full of luggage), they can accomodate 5 kids quite happily and, unlike a takeaway burger outlet it fills everyone up for the day, so no need to prepare a significant meal when you get home.
I would guess the principle clientelle are couples aged 40+ , families with children, travelling salesmen and other businessmen; and pensioners.
I suspect they would struggle to attract single people aged 16-30 whatever they did, as by definition once you turn 16 you consider the place your parents took you as a kid to be uncool, and if they changed the place totally to attract them, they would destroy the business model, especially as people aged 16-30 have not got much money, and if it was changed to be attractive to that demographic group it would put most of their other clients off.
Anyway. I like the olympic breakfast!
Re: where are the little chefs going?
The Mirfield Little Chef opened on the Wednesday morning after the announcement and by lunchtime was closed. Boarded up and signage removed.AndrewH wrote:The urban ones in West Yorkshire, always seemed a bit out of place, the long closed one at Rooley Avenue, Bradford and the soon to be closed one on Huddersfield Road, Mirfield. Both located not exactly on major trunk roads.SteveA30 wrote:I've always been puzzled by some of the chosen locations for both LC and the old Happy Eaters. No wonder so many have fallen by the wayside over the years.
- PeterA5145
- Member
- Posts: 25347
- Joined: Sun Mar 24, 2002 00:19
- Location: Stockport, Cheshire
- Contact:
Re: where are the little chefs going?
No, but they represent a significant source of custom and help explain why there are (or used to be) a lot of branches in urban and urban fringe locations.A303Paul wrote:I don't think its just businessmen using them, otherwise the Little Chefs on the A303 would not be the success that they are.
“The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire.” – Robert A. Heinlein
-
- Member
- Posts: 1717
- Joined: Sun Nov 28, 2004 17:48
- Location: Leeds
Re: where are the little chefs going?
This is like the one on the A64 at Claxton my friend when to work yesterday morning unaware that the LC there was closing but by 10am they got a call telling them then 5 minutes later the guys turned up and boarded it up removed all signs and left only the picnic benches outside remain!The Mirfield Little Chef opened on the Wednesday morning after the announcement and by lunchtime was closed. Boarded up and signage removed.
Seems rather bad that they had no warning and the A64 Claxton which they called Malton little chef was not on the list of ones to close that I saw!
Re: where are the little chefs going?
So, when I pick up my rental car from Southampton post cruise on 27 April,my first mission is to find a Little Chef to savour the lovely Michelin Award cuisine spoken about on here. Fried Mars Bar anyone?
Alas I might encounter a Maccas or Burger King first.
Alas I might encounter a Maccas or Burger King first.
Cheers..LES
'Adventure before Dementia !'
'Adventure before Dementia !'
Re: where are the little chefs going?
Battered deep-fried Mars bars are lovely.
Make poetry history.
Did you know there's more to SABRE than just the Forums?
Help with maps using the new online calibrator.
Add your roads knowledge to the SABRE Wiki.
Did you know there's more to SABRE than just the Forums?
Help with maps using the new online calibrator.
Add your roads knowledge to the SABRE Wiki.
Re: where are the little chefs going?
You can get deep fried mars bars at Big Georges in Portswood, Southampton. You won't find a Little Chef for quite some distance around Southampton.NSWP wrote:So, when I pick up my rental car from Southampton post cruise on 27 April,my first mission is to find a Little Chef to savour the lovely Michelin Award cuisine spoken about on here. Fried Mars Bar anyone?
"“Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations" Thomas Jefferson
- Ritchie333
- Assistant Site Manager
- Posts: 11766
- Joined: Tue May 20, 2003 20:40
- Location: Ashford, Kent
- Contact:
Re: where are the little chefs going?
Crikey, haven't been in Big George's for years, but it was a regular stop after closing time at the Talking Heads, which is next door. It shut (the pub that is) a few weeks back, but there is a huge campaign to get it re-opened, which is good as it was by far and away my most frequented pub when I lived there.
--
SABRE Maps - all the best maps in one place....
SABRE Maps - all the best maps in one place....
- multiraider2
- Member
- Posts: 3698
- Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2004 17:42
- Location: London, SE
Re: where are the little chefs going?
Further to Peter's message, the only time I have ever been in a Little Chef was as a (fairly rubbish) salesman, when taken there by my sales manager.
Despite it not being for me, she did give me some advice/motivation which I still keep with me. "No matter how bad it's been today, if you have learned one thing from it, then it hasn't been a total waste of time." I used that advice to decide to do something I could do.
This ends my Little Chef sermon.
Despite it not being for me, she did give me some advice/motivation which I still keep with me. "No matter how bad it's been today, if you have learned one thing from it, then it hasn't been a total waste of time." I used that advice to decide to do something I could do.
This ends my Little Chef sermon.
Re: where are the little chefs going?
Thanks for that, but I am driving first up from Southampton to Okehampton area in Devon, must be a Little Chef somewhere along that route! Have to do a Junk Food journey route map.si404 wrote:You can get deep fried mars bars at Big Georges in Portswood, Southampton. You won't find a Little Chef for quite some distance around Southampton.NSWP wrote:So, when I pick up my rental car from Southampton post cruise on 27 April,my first mission is to find a Little Chef to savour the lovely Michelin Award cuisine spoken about on here. Fried Mars Bar anyone?
Cheers..LES
'Adventure before Dementia !'
'Adventure before Dementia !'
Re: where are the little chefs going?
If you are going M27/A31/A35/A30 then, there are 8 to choose from. Trouble is, I don't know which ones are closing. Some of these may be boarded up by the time you get here. A35 Shute is the most likely to go on that route, it is always quiet.
Alternatives are a Mcd at A31/A348 rbt - Roadside Cafe on A31 west of Wimborne (an old LC) - Vines Farmhouse Kitchen 2 miles further on.- Mcd at A35/A37 rbt - Bridport bypass cafe,- Kilmington Chef A35,- A30 Honiton bypass, Lorry park and cafe,- M5 Exeter Services, rubbish access, due to multiple traffic lights and, queues.- A30, The Owl, hut in layby,- Whiddon Down, next to LC, Esso garage with cafe,- Okehampton bypass, White House Services.
Try Okehampton station, cafe there and steam train ride out to Meldon Viaduct, where you can walk onto Dartmoor or cycle along the rest of the old railway route.
Alternatives are a Mcd at A31/A348 rbt - Roadside Cafe on A31 west of Wimborne (an old LC) - Vines Farmhouse Kitchen 2 miles further on.- Mcd at A35/A37 rbt - Bridport bypass cafe,- Kilmington Chef A35,- A30 Honiton bypass, Lorry park and cafe,- M5 Exeter Services, rubbish access, due to multiple traffic lights and, queues.- A30, The Owl, hut in layby,- Whiddon Down, next to LC, Esso garage with cafe,- Okehampton bypass, White House Services.
Try Okehampton station, cafe there and steam train ride out to Meldon Viaduct, where you can walk onto Dartmoor or cycle along the rest of the old railway route.
- ravenbluemoon
- Committee Member
- Posts: 3042
- Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2007 11:32
- Location: Between Mansfield and Göteborg
Re: where are the little chefs going?
If you head out of Southampton towards Totton, get yourself on the A326 Totton bypass, and make a right at the roundabout with the A336 - Goodie's Chippy is just there. Was good when I was in the area, always quite busy. Handy for getting onto the M27 at Junction 2 as well.
Tony Alice (they,them)
~~~~~
Owner of a classic rust heap/money pit, and other unremarkable older vehicles.
Usually found with a head in an old map or road atlas.
Did you know there's more to SABRE than just the Forums?
Add your roads knowledge to the SABRE Wiki today!
Have you browsed SABRE Maps recently? Ask me if you want to get involved!
~~~~~
Owner of a classic rust heap/money pit, and other unremarkable older vehicles.
Usually found with a head in an old map or road atlas.
Did you know there's more to SABRE than just the Forums?
Add your roads knowledge to the SABRE Wiki today!
Have you browsed SABRE Maps recently? Ask me if you want to get involved!
Re: where are the little chefs going?
The current situation from that nice Alice at LC, sent 10 mins ago.
Please see below a list of the sites that closed a few weeks ago and the three that closed the weekend just gone. The rest are trading but some are currently under review and may close in due course.
Adlington
Barton U Needwood
Bebington
Burton South. So, the A38 from Lichfield to Derby has lost all of its LC's, there were others closed earlier.
Cross Hands
Dumbarton
Dundee
Hagley
Hartlebury A449 now LC free
Hellingly
Kilmarnock
Middlewich
Mirfield
Newby
Newtown
Rising Bridge
Worksop
Hope-U-Dinmore
Capel St Mary North
Ings
Malton
The last three are the sites that have closed this weekend and have not yet been updated on the website, the rest have been removed from the website and map.
Thank you for taking the time to contact us.
Kind regards,
Alice Jones
Little Chef Customer Service
Please see below a list of the sites that closed a few weeks ago and the three that closed the weekend just gone. The rest are trading but some are currently under review and may close in due course.
Adlington
Barton U Needwood
Bebington
Burton South. So, the A38 from Lichfield to Derby has lost all of its LC's, there were others closed earlier.
Cross Hands
Dumbarton
Dundee
Hagley
Hartlebury A449 now LC free
Hellingly
Kilmarnock
Middlewich
Mirfield
Newby
Newtown
Rising Bridge
Worksop
Hope-U-Dinmore
Capel St Mary North
Ings
Malton
The last three are the sites that have closed this weekend and have not yet been updated on the website, the rest have been removed from the website and map.
Thank you for taking the time to contact us.
Kind regards,
Alice Jones
Little Chef Customer Service
Re: where are the little chefs going?
Well there's one about 10 miles into your journey, at Stoney Cross on the A31. At least, it was still open yesterday when I went past.NSWP wrote:Thanks for that, but I am driving first up from Southampton to Okehampton area in Devon, must be a Little Chef somewhere along that route! Have to do a Junk Food journey route map.si404 wrote:You can get deep fried mars bars at Big Georges in Portswood, Southampton. You won't find a Little Chef for quite some distance around Southampton.NSWP wrote:So, when I pick up my rental car from Southampton post cruise on 27 April,my first mission is to find a Little Chef to savour the lovely Michelin Award cuisine spoken about on here. Fried Mars Bar anyone?